WASHINGTON, D.C.—The wind industry just closed out another banner year, and the American Wind Energy Assn. (AWEA) is looking ahead to further progress in 2009. Although the industry is buffeted by the financial crisis and economic downturn, it is also buoyed by a strong strategic position and the prospect of strong policy support from Congress and the new president. Here are some wind energy projections for the New Year: “The world’s largest operating wind power project” will be a hotly contested designation this year: At least one new project may soon surpass FPL Energy’s 736-megawatt (MW) Horse Hollow wind...

NATIONAL REPORT—In September 2008, NUS Consulting Group, which specializes in utility cost management, reported that Seattle had the highest combined water and sewer rates in the country, charging $14.28 per thousand gallons, up 5.1 percent from last year. Seattle’s costs are followed by: Atlanta with combined rates of $13.28; Boston at $12.96; San Francisco at $12.76; and Portland, Maine at $11.67. In total, 51 major water markets were analyzed and although the rates varied, they all shared one thing in common: rates are increasing and expected to go up even more. The bulk of these charges is for purchasing water,...

CHICAGO—After becoming just one of five hotels in Chicago to be awarded the coveted Green Seal Certification, The Talbott Hotel has been added to the 2008 Green Power Leadership Club by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This award was in recognition of its exemplary environmental leadership. In particular, the luxury, boutique hotel is being honored for its efforts to operate a 100 percent carbon neutral property by purchasing renewable wind energy credits that offset the hotel’s entire carbon footprint. The hotel not only met the minimum requirements for the EPA’s Green Power Partnership, but reached the 10-fold...

NATIONAL REPORT—For those who specify and/or purchase fabric for items such as furniture and draperies, options that include recycled content have been around for a long time. Over the last year, however, fabric suppliers have increased the number of “green” options they offer. Today, it is easy to find polyester fabric made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. Sustainable fabric made from natural fibers is also quite common. While the price point for some sustainable fabrics can be higher, some vendors are able to offer sustainable lines at the same price as traditional fabrics because of the high...

LAS VEGAS—CityCenter Holdings, LLC, a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE and Infinity World Development Corp, announced certain scope changes related to The Harmon Hotel & Spa which include postponing the opening of the hotel to late 2010 and cancelling The Harmon residential condominium component. The Harmon Hotel & Spa is just one component of the CityCenter complex. MGM MIRAGE is pursuing the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at CityCenter. CityCenter Holdings, LLC is currently developing a 67-acre vertical city on the Las Vegas Strip. Once complete, The Harmon Hotel & Spa will feature...

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North Companies is keeping its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) registration thanks to the results of independent audits at several managed properties. Three properties had zero noncomformances. The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Ohio, Delaware North Companies’ corporate office in Buffalo, N.Y., and Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., met all ISO requirements. GreenPath, Delaware North Companies’ environmental management system, aims to protect, preserve and effectively manage “green“ initiatives at all locations. Delaware North was the first U.S. hospitality company, as well as the first U.S. National Park concessionaire, to receive ISO registration. “GreenPath’s primary objectives are to...

ATLANTA—As the federal government prepares for the presidential transition in January, it will face challenges in dealing with increasingly complex issues and new directives from the Obama administration and the new Congress, especially concerning energy issues. A new report from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides a potential roadmap for addressing the nation’s dependence on foreign energy sources and its greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy. “Buildings are often overlooked as an opportunity to reduce energy consumption and offer an excellent opportunity to achieve national energy goals,” says ASHRAE president Bill Harrison. Buildings are...

LEXINGTON, KY.—The 2008 National Tour Assn. (NTA) Annual Convention, held in November in Pittsburgh, set a record for the amount of materials that were recycled from a single show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The center is the first and largest certified green convention center in the world. Officials at the convention center reported that everyone who attended the NTA Convention helped to recycle 9.435 tons of material. The figure includes nearly 3.465 tons of composted materials, three tons of cardboard and 2.97 tons of bottles, cans and loose paper. Additionally, 123,500 gallons of water was reclaimed....

CHANHASSEN, M INN.—The national hotel chain, AmericInn, announces the environmental recognition of its AmericInn property located in Sarasota, Fla. This hotel location has been honored with a Green Lodging Certificate from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for taking important steps to ensure its hotel environment is eco-friendly for guests. The hotel has also introduced a limited quantity of PURE Allergy-Friendly Rooms, in which every surface, fabric, and air and water are treated for maximum comfort. The Sarasota-located AmericInn has been given this designation for meeting energy efficiency, waste and water reduction and indoor air quality benchmarks set by...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is now accepting seminar proposals for the 94th annual International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), taking place November 7-10, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Experts are encouraged to share their research and insight at North America’s premier event for the hospitality industry, which attracts some 35,000 trade professionals and 1,000 exhibitors annually. The deadline to submit proposals is March 2, 2009. Proposals focused on timely and trend-driven information, within the areas of lodging ownership and management, consumer travel trends, sustainability and related issues will be given...